Self-hoisting m echan ism



(No Model.)

G. BIDDALL. SELF HOISTING MEGHANISM.

No. 459,247. Patented Sept. 8, 1891.

l www lill' UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

GEORGE BIDDAIIIJ, OF IVOODLAND, CALIFORNIA.

SELF-HOISTING MECHANISIVI.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,247, datedSeptember 8, 1891.

Application filed February 4, 1891. Serial No. 380,197. (No model.)

T0 a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, GEoRGE BIDDALL, a citizen of the United States,residing at lVoodland, Yolo county, State of California, have inventedan Improvement in Self-I'Ioisting Mechanisms; and I hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to that class of lifting mechanisms or hoists inwhich the operator, by means of a suitably-arranged tackle, raiseshimself to various heights to perform any Work desired.

My invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of partshereinafter fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claim.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and effective deviceby which a man can raise himself to any point desired.

Two of the objects which maybe mentioned and for which my device isparticularly adapted are the picking of fruit and the pruning of trees.

Referring to the accompanying` drawing for a more complete explanationof my in vention, the figure is a perspectiveview of my hoist.

A is a standard, which is supported by a base-frame B. To provide forthe easytransportation of the device, the standard and base-frame aremade separable, the former fitting into a socket in the latter and beingheld therein by means of a cross-pin a.

The base-fram e, for lthe sake of stability, has three points ofsupport, two of which are at the ends of an end piece a, which is alsoremovably secured to the main piece and held in place by means of pinsa2.

Upon the side of the standard is made a rack C of any suitabledescription, here shown as formed by a metal face-plate having holes init.

Fitted upon the standard and adapted to slide up and down thereon is aseat-frame D, which carriesa seat d. One side of this frame has pivotedin it a strong pawl or dog E, the upper end or point of which is adaptedto engage the rack by fitting'in its holes, and it is held to thisengagement normally by a spring e. The lower portion of the pawl iscurved and is in such a position with respect to the seat (l that theoperator can readily reach the pawl with his leg or hand and can throwit out of engagement with the rack.

In the top of the standard is a pulley F, overwhich passes thehoisting-rope G, the fall of which extends within reach of the operatorupon the seat. This rope carries the pulley-block H, and the end of therope is attached firmly to the standard near its top. The pulley-blockII is connected with the top of the seat-frame.

I have here illustrated a basket or bucket I, connect-ed with the top ofthe seat-frame, which simply shows a convenient position in which tocarry any receptacle to be usedin the work.

The operation of the device is as follows: The operator takes his placeupon the seat, and pulling upon the hoisting-rope raises the entireseat-frame and himself. In this upward movement the pawl or dog slipsfreely by the teeth or holes of the rack, so that he has not to attendto this pawl or dog, but simply to the exertion of his power, resultingin lifting himself to the point. desired. IVhen he has reached thispoint he has only to relieve the rope, whereupon the pawl or dogengaging the rack will hold the seat-frame at such point. To lowerhimself he first raises the frame slightly in order to relieve the pawlor dog, and then holding said pawl or dog out he allows himself todescend as 11e pays out on the hoistingaope. Thus, no mat-ter what workmay be in hand wherein it is necessary for one to raise himself todifferent elevations, the operator by the use of this device canaccomplish the result.

In picking fruitand pruning trees the device is particularly useful, asit can be readily transported from tree to tree, is very stable, notliable to rock or to get out of order, and is strong and durable.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

In a hoisting device, the combination of the supporting-base having asocket and detachable end piece, the single standard removably fittedthereto and supported thereby, the rack on the side of the standard, theframe mount` ed and adapted to slide upon the standard, the seat of theframe, the pawl or dog car- IOO ried bythe seat-frame and engaging therack, In Witness whereof I h ave hereunto set my the pulley-blockconnected with the frame, hand. the pulley in the top of theStendal-(Land the hoisting-rope connected with the standard GRORGEBIDDALT" 5 top, passing over the block and pulley, and Witnesses:

falling Within reach of the operator, Substan- NICHOLAS A. HAWKINS,

tially as herein described. G. T. BALL.

